Improvement in artificial legs



ncbia I 21'?" p ggtnxtef errent @time ENOCH CARLETON AND ELI GQSS, @F PRTLANU, MAINA.

Leiters Patent Na 62,731, dated M'arch 12, 1867.

IMPROVEMENT IN ARTIFICIAL LEGS.

@In dgihulc tcfecreh tu in these glitters aie'nt mit mating pnt xsf tlg mmf.

IO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

' Be it known that we, ENOGH CARLETON and ELI GOSS, both of Portland, in the county of Cumberland, and State of Maine, have invent-ed a new and improved form of rtilicial Leg; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full and. exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and the let-ters of reference marked thereon..

Figure 1 is a perspective view; and

Figure 2a side elevation and section.

A is a circular plate, of steel or other metal, attached te I), which vis the upper part of the leg, (constructed oi' wood, cork, or other light snbstance,) and is connected to R., the lower part of the leg, by the common rulejoint C at the knee. B is a. slot in the pla-te A. D is a band o i' stoel, or other metal, attache-l to and operated by the rod (of steel or other metal) F, which rod is enclosed and held in the spiral spring G, and, passing through the guides II H and I and the plate J, rests upon t e heel L, E is a lip at one end ofthe band D, resting against the guide O. K is `al1inge-joint, uniting the parts R and S, or leg and foot. M is the toe. N N islagroove, enclosing the spring G and rod F. 'Ihe spring G rests or presses against the guide I.

A By pressing upon. the heel at L the rod F is driven up,v and pushes the lip E into the slot B, and the kneeU joint is then immovable or stiff and firm, 'as shown in fig. ZZ. .When the pressure is removed yfrom the heel tothe toe, as is naturally rione in preparing to swing the leg forward, the spring G, by its downward pressure, withdraws the lip E from the slot B and liberates the knee-joint, which leaves the leg swinging freely, as shown n iig. l. y

What we claim as our invention, is l A knee-joi'nt, made sti' when the weight is borne upon the leg by means of a movable rod or holt, attached to the leg externally or internally, bearing upon the heel, and extending4 upward into a catch or slot upon the leg above the knee-joint, which rod is worked by means of a spiral or other spring in such a manner that when thc weight is removed from the leg the rod is forced downward by the springout of the slot or catch, thus liberating the joint and leaving the lower leg free and swinging, and, when the weight is placed upon the leg by bearing upon the heel, the rod is pushed'upward into the slot or ctteh7 and the knee-joint thus held stiff while the weight is borne upon the leg. i l y i We do not claim as new the knee and ankle `jointsthemselves, nor the spring, bolt, or catch, but the rendering of the knee-joint still' or limber at 'pleasure by means ol' a spring, rod, and catch, applied as above described. ENOCH CARLETON,

Witnesses: ELI GOSS.

` PERCIVAL BoNNnY,

GEO. VERRILL. 

